A streak of light shot out from the Hidden Grass Village, immediately spotted by Neji, who was hiding just outside. He quickly reported it to Uchiha Shinji.
"They can fly, huh?"
Shinji murmured to himself, refining his strategy in his mind.
Even in the shinobi world, where ninjutsu came in all forms, flight was an exceptionally rare ability. This was why, in the original timeline, Deidara dared to infiltrate the Hidden Sand Village alone to attack the Fifth Kazekage, Gaara.
Even a major village like the Hidden Sand had few means to threaten Deidara while he was airborne.
Thus, upon confirming that the mysterious 'Lampbearer' from the Demon Slayer world possessed flight capabilities, Shinji knew he had to make corresponding preparations.
He then confirmed the direction the figure was heading with Neji and cross-referenced it with his map, realizing they were likely rushing toward the battlefield where 'Upper Rank One' was engaged.
"Could it be Nagato making his move?"
Shinji speculated.
Through his earlier 'Jikibi' communication with Deidara, he had confirmed that Nagato had personally come to the Grass Country to participate in this operation.
Given Nagato's habits, he either stayed out of the fight or struck with absolute lethality when he did act.
Thus, it was entirely plausible that Nagato had targeted the demonized Tanjiro, 'Upper Rank One,' in hopes of uncovering the truth behind the 'Upper Rank demons.'
The mysterious 'Lampbearer' from the Demon Slayer world had been waiting for this moment, so it was only natural they'd react immediately upon Nagato's appearance.
Marking a cross on the map at the location of 'Upper Rank One,' Shinji thought to himself, "This must be the site of the final showdown!"
With that realization, he tucked away the map and dashed toward the direction of 'Upper Rank One.'
On a plain in the Grass Country, shouts of rage, roars, the booming of ninjutsu, and the clashing of weapons intertwined, filling the night-covered grasslands with chaos.
At the center of this tumultuous stage was a swift figure, wreathed in blazing flames, shining as brilliantly as the sun.
Watching Hidden Sand shinobi being cut down like vegetables by this figure, the Fourth Kazekage could no longer hold back. He shouted, "Everyone, get out of the way!"
The Hidden Sand shinobi scattered at his command.
The Fourth Kazekage waved both hands. "Magnet Release: Gold Dust Burial!"
Rustle rustle.
In an instant, a massive wave of shimmering gold dust, glinting under the moonlight, surged from all directions toward the fiery figure at the center of the battlefield, burying them completely!
"Did it work?!"
Seeing the godlike 'Upper Rank One' engulfed by their Kazekage's gold dust, the Hidden Sand shinobi were both shocked and skeptical.
The Fourth Kazekage stared intently at the gold dust.
Against an ordinary opponent, he was confident this technique would be a guaranteed kill. But 'Upper Rank One' had already proven their terrifying strength through their actions, so he wasn't certain he could eliminate them with a single blow.
On the other side, Itachi and Kisame, who had been engaged with Chiyo and Yūra of the Hidden Sand, paused in unison, their gazes turning toward the sea of sand that had swallowed 'Upper Rank One.'
The Hidden Sand had initially planned to sit back and watch the Akatsuki and 'Upper Rank One' fight it out, stepping in to clean up the aftermath once a victor emerged.
But Itachi clearly wasn't going to give them that chance. Upon noticing the Hidden Sand's forces closing in, he immediately chose to retreat.
This retreat forced the Hidden Sand to engage prematurely.
As a result, the situation devolved into an awkward standoff: part of the Hidden Sand forces besieged 'Upper Rank One,' while another part targeted Itachi and Kisame.
However, Itachi and Kisame weren't fighting the Hidden Sand with full force, so the primary pressure fell on the group attacking 'Upper Rank One.'
As all eyes focused on the sea of sand, a swish sounded, and a long sword pierced through the sand!
"Sun Breathing, Solar Halo Dragon!"
With a low roar, 'Upper Rank One' transformed into a blazing inferno, bursting out from the sea of sand!
The Fourth Kazekage's expression darkened as he waved his hands again.
The once-quiet sea of sand stirred once more. Countless golden grains, glowing faintly under the moonlight, rose into the air like tentacles, surrounding and blocking 'Upper Rank One' as they broke free from the sand.
No matter how 'Upper Rank One' slashed or maneuvered, they couldn't escape the sand's encirclement. In no time, they were once again trapped within layers of the sandy prison.
Seeing this, the Fourth Kazekage extended his right hand and clenched it in the air. "Magnet Release: Sandstorm Funeral!"
In an instant, the gold dust swiftly enveloped 'Upper Rank One's' body. With a squelch, it constricted and crushed, blood spraying from the seams of the sand!
"Amazing!"
"We did it!"
"We've got him!"
The Hidden Sand shinobi erupted in cheers.
A speed-based swordsman like 'Upper Rank One' was indeed countered by a powerful shinobi like the Fourth Kazekage, who wielded wide-ranging control and area-of-effect abilities.
However, as the strongest 'Upper Rank demon,' ordinary ninjutsu couldn't truly threaten them. After enduring the Fourth Kazekage's 'Sandstorm Funeral,' they paused for only a few breaths before swinging their long sword horizontally, slicing through the gold dust's bindings and breaking half their body free.
Seeing 'Upper Rank One,' drenched in blood yet seemingly unaffected, the Fourth Kazekage's face darkened.
At that moment, Chiyo called out from nearby, "Dawn is almost here! If we can hold out until the sun rises, he's done for!"
The Fourth Kazekage immediately shifted his strategy. Instead of trying to kill 'Upper Rank One,' he used his gold dust to control and restrain them, preparing to end the battle once the sun rose.
Soon, the first rays of dawn spilled across the land.
As the sunlight gradually advanced along the horizon, about to bathe 'Upper Rank One' in its glow, the Fourth Kazekage let out a relieved breath. "It's finally over!"
As expected, when the sunlight touched 'Upper Rank One,' their body seemed to burn, their skin gradually charring as wisps of smoke rose from their form.
Just as everyone thought 'Upper Rank One' would turn to ash like the other demons they'd encountered under sunlight, they suddenly lunged forward, closing the distance to the Fourth Kazekage. In the Kazekage's stunned gaze, they thrust their sword through his chest.
But as 'Upper Rank One' prepared to deliver a second strike, a figure descended from the sky. With a single raise of their hand, they sent both 'Upper Rank One' and the Fourth Kazekage flying!
The newcomer was none other than the Deva Path!